(The space shuttle Enterprise is concealed under a white canopy, background right, prior to its official opening on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, July 19th. Credit: Jay Lloyd)

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By Jay Lloyd

NEW YORK, N.Y. (CBS) — The dramatic New York City display of the space shuttle Enterprise opens today.

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Here on the World War II aircraft carrier Intrepid, now a museum ship, the space shuttle looms large on the flight deck. It towers over planes and helicopters that served more than 70 years on the front lines.

Even the visitors to this impressive exhibit span the generations. Dan Zajackowski, for example, came to see the Intrepid and relive the World War II experience of his 93-year-old grandfather, who served as a carrier sailor.

“Aside from fighting a war, just living on a ship like this is pretty incredible,” notes Zajackowski.

On the hangar deck, replica space capsules and a 1940s-era torpedo bomber are side by side.